The kids in Rockdale County finally went back to school yesterday after having been out of school for three weeks due to the BioLab disaster. (They are meant to have had virtual learning at home, and I do hope that they were able to do some kind of learning!) It has been a time of stress. For over a week after the huge toxic cloud, we were told to "shelter in place" and not to open any doors or windows. Then, we were told it was okay to go out but if you saw a giant cloud come over you, to go back inside! And then, for a time we were told that it was okay to go out but to shelter in place between 7PM and 7AM. (Because as some funny person said online, toxic air has a curfew!) I have asthma and I usually don't have any problems with it but for the past few weeks, I have used my inhaler quite a bit. I hate to think of those who are suffering from much more serious lung problems than mine. There is a push now for Biolab to be shut down permanently and you all must know that I agree with that. During these past few weeks there have been meetings with government officials. One was shown as a live stream from downtown Atlanta with our state representatives listening to powerful speeches from those who were closest to the BioLab facility. One of those who spoke gave such an impassioned speech about the dangers of BioLab! I am sorry to tell you that just after his talk, he walked outside where he collapsed in the hallway. He later died at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. His name was Kenny Johnson, and he was the Rockdale County Soil and Water Supervisor. A hero, if you ask me.
We are told that the EPA checked the air on a regular basis and also that the water was checked three times daily and that we should not be concerned. (What about the vegetables that people have in their gardens, are they okay to eat, or should we be worried of the toxic chemicals that might have settled upon them? For that matter, what about the soil for future gardens?) We are in hopes that the Good Earth (with its precious air over it) will try very hard to recover.
Millions have voted early in the USA. There is a young woman who paints seasonal pictures on the windows in Old Town Conyers and I love the Peanuts characters telling people to vote!
I am sure that you heard the news that Liam Payne died in South America. Such sad news- it seems it is all we get these days. Even though he was a solo artist, I remember him as being one of those very young men from "One Direction". I had a video on my blog of them doing a video for charity and I really liked it, so I am sharing it again with you here...
My friends, I do hope that you are all doing well. We are hanging in there! Take care and look out for each other. My best to you always. x
Still so many questions unanswered or unknown in the wake of the BioLab fire. I hope you get reliable answers soon. Sorry to hear about Kenny Johnson's death, very tragic for his friends and family.
ReplyDeleteIt was a shocking tragedy. And to have just seen him on that LIVE feed, when they announced there was a medical emergency, I was so fearful that it was Mr. Johnson. So sad. Now, there are all kinds of law suits going on and even the top government officials here have a federal lawsuit against the company. Just hope we do get honest answers.
DeleteIt's a tragedy all the way around and as much as we may need and rely on some of these chemicals these days, if a company cannot produce them safely, it does not need to be in the business.
ReplyDeleteI have voted already.
DeleteHow did Liam die?
I heard about the BioLab - we are about 40 miles from there and were scared - can't imagine how you feel. I think they should close that lab too.
There had been quite a few "incidents" like this before at BioLab. It should have been shut down years ago, I think.
DeleteHey Chatty Crone! Looks like you hit reply to messymimi! Liam died as a result of drugs, I think. I think he might have been on drugs and fell from the balcony of his hotel. So Sad.
It must have been very similar to time when we were all under pandemic restrictions, only that this time it lasted 3 weeks instead of months and years. Not opening my windows would be punishment for me - it is the first thing I do every morning, letting fresh air in, and during warm nights, I keep my windows open all night (not having A/C, like most people in this country).
ReplyDeleteHopefully you won't be needing the inhalator as much anymore. I am sure you and Richard miss going for walks or simply being outside in your garden.
Love those Peanuts characters!
It was very scary since we were not really told anything! Just stay inside and not to open windows or doors. The chemical plume lasted for several weeks, not knowing which way the wind was blowing! Our pandemic restrictions were not nearly as strict as yours in Europe. I think I told you that I worked all through it, although they cut our hours slightly. Glad you like the Peanuts characters too! I love them for always.
DeleteI am so sorry you, family and the other citizens of Rockdale County are going thru this man-made catastrophe - It surprised me that such a toxic product was being produced in a populated urban area. Please see a asthma specialist before you have permanent lung damage - there are maintenance drugs now that can help your breathing during this dangerous period. Think of it as preserving your (& your son's) lovely singing voices. Wish you could take a vacation and do some deep breathing of Nature's clean air. Thoughts and prayers to the wonderful people of North Georgia.
ReplyDeleteDid not mean to comment as 'Anonymous'
ReplyDeleteOh, I should have mentioned that we DID get away to see our son in Chattanooga! How nice it was to take in fresh air while we were there! Only thing, I was so stressed out, it was hard to relax, wondering what was going on at my home. And thanks very much, I will speak with my doctor about my breathing! x
DeleteThat was a terrible disaster for you. We had a similar happening not long ago in Ohio when a train derailed and caught some toxic chemicals on fire. It was on the news constantly. The EPA came out and checked the air, the water and the soil. Some people had to move away and others lost businesses from being shut down so long. We definitely cannot be too safe when it comes to toxic chemicals. It takes a long time to recover from something like that. Make sure to pay attention to the news and keep safe! Love, ma
ReplyDeleteI think the train derailment was in East Palestine, Ohio. That was mentioned in our news reports here. It told us that the toxic air in Ohio was only a fraction of what we got here in Rockdale County! Of course, you can't believe everything you read but it is a scary thought. Thanks, MA for your comment! x
DeleteYes I agree with you. Shut it down definitely.
ReplyDeleteI truly hope that will happen.
DeletePeanuts has the right idea. I voted the first day early voting was available.
ReplyDeleteI like to vote early too. I don't like crowds though, so I usually wait until our second week of early voting. Instead of a long line, I just walk right in! The people who work at the voting stations are so nice, aren't they? Is it like that all over the country? I like to think so! 🇺🇸
DeleteSorry to hear you are still feeling the effects of the Biolab incident. Bob.
ReplyDeleteHey Bob! It's not so bad for me as it is for others. There was a poor guy they showed on the news, he was working outside the day of the fire/explosion and his eyes were almost swollen shut. This happened on Sept. 29th. We are allowed to burn outdoors beginning Oct. 1st and sure enough, even though our air quality was terrible, there were still those who burned! Honestly, people don't think, they are like robots, programmed to always do the same thing no matter what.
DeleteSadly there is far too much sad news in our world these days. A couple of days ago, a dear little 11 year old innocent little boy was sitting at a table in his schoolyard when a car, out of control, plouged into where he was sitting. He didn't survive. It breaks my heart. I can't begin to imagine what his family are going through. So, so sad....heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Oh Lee, that is so very sad. Such heartbreaking stories. You just want to put your arms around people who are going through so much pain. God be with all who are suffering.
DeleteWow! We heard about the Biolab incident in Hawaii. It sounded absolutely awful. I hope everybody stays safe. We had a problem in Hawaii when our underground aquafer was contaminated by the Navy's underground fuel storage. We're still nervous about our water.
ReplyDeleteWe've already voted and are keeping our fingers and toes crossed.
Thanks, Kay. No one wants to worry about the water to drink! So many have voted early! I am in Georgia which is a battleground state, we have been swamped with Ads from both sides!
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